Six Retired Michigan Numbers to Know Before Ordering a Custom Jersey

A custom Michigan Wolverines jersey starts with two choices: the name and the number. Michigan football makes the number part more interesting than most programs, because six numbers are retired and each one belongs to a name that Michigan fans know well. If you are planning a custom jersey, these are the numbers worth knowing first.

The six retired numbers

• No. 11 – the Wistert brothers, Francis, Albert and Alvin, who all wore it at Michigan.
• No. 21 – Desmond Howard, the 1991 Heisman Trophy winner.
• No. 47 – Bennie Oosterbaan, a standout player who later coached the Wolverines.
• No. 48 – Gerald Ford, who played center at Michigan before becoming the 38th president of the United States.
• No. 87 – Ron Kramer, a multi-sport star of the 1950s.
• No. 98 – Tom Harmon, Michigan’s first Heisman Trophy winner.

The Legends program and why it ended

For four seasons, Michigan ran a “Legends” program in which current players could wear some of these historic numbers with a patch honoring the original owner. The program started under former athletic director Dave Brandon. In July 2015 the athletic department announced it was ending the program and would retire the six numbers, with a ceremony planned before the Ohio State game on November 28, 2015.

That decision is why these numbers no longer appear on the field for current players, and why they carry extra weight on a fan jersey.

How fans use these numbers on a custom jersey

Honor a specific legend

Your surname with 98 is a quiet nod to Harmon; your surname with 21 points to Howard’s Heisman season. Anyone who knows Michigan history will catch the reference.

Pick a number with a broader story

48 is a favorite for fans who like the Gerald Ford connection, since it links Michigan football to American history. It also makes a good gift for history-minded family members.

Skip the retired list entirely

Plenty of fans prefer a number from a more recent era or a personal date. The jersey pictured above, for example, is a Tom Brady #10 Michigan Wolverines 2025 Limited V2 stitched jersey in white, a number fans connect with Brady’s Michigan years rather than any retired list.

Choosing the name

• Your own surname keeps the jersey personal for years.
• A family name works well for gifts to parents or grandparents who followed earlier Michigan teams.
• Short names read more clearly from the stands, especially on wide numbers like 48 or 98.

Color and sport

Michigan blue with maize numbers is the classic home look; white is the road option and easier in early-season heat. Custom Michigan jerseys are also offered for basketball, baseball and hockey, so check which sport a listing is built for. Football jerseys are cut with more shoulder room, while basketball tops are sleeveless with a longer body.

Fit check

Compare the size chart with a shirt you already own. If you plan to wear the jersey over a hoodie at a November game in Ann Arbor, consider the next size up.

Build your jersey

Start on the custom Michigan Wolverines jersey page to choose your name and number. If you would rather wear a player’s name, the Tom Brady Michigan jersey page is another place to start.